CLASSES, SERIES, HANDICAPS, FLEETS, RULES, PURSUITS etc

Dinghy ClassesMany types of dinghies are sailed at Haversham Sailing Club. If you are thinking of racing, have a chat with club members who will advise. Best time to do this is on a Sunday when many different boats and helms will be about.

Race Series and Trophy Events Take place every weekend throughout the year and Wednesday and Friday (Youth) evenings in the Summer. Other than 'pursuit' events, each race takes about one hour. Get a good idea of what's going on by looking at the Results web page. Check the Calendar for exact start times. For a full list of all the Series and Trophies please go to the Notice of Race document.

For the Spring, Summer and Autumn Sunday Series racing there are General Handicap Races at 10h00 and 11h30 with a single start for each race. The 10h00 and 11h30 races will count towards separate series. In addition the 11h30 race will count towards the Hot Lady Series which will be a combination of results from the Spring, Summer and Autumn 11h30 races. The ladies's results will be taken from the overall results and will not be sailed separately. The 13h30 and 15h00 races will be fleet racing for the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Rookie fleets and will both count towards the same Series. The Bronze and Rookie Fleets will always have a start separate from the Gold and Silver fleets.

Handicaps and FleetsPlease click the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick link. The PNs can be found in the first link on the right hand side of their page. Club handicaps may differ from PN’s, and this list can be found by following this link. Find out which fleet you're in by following this link. If your name doesn't appear or you feel you are on the wrong list please contact the Rear Commodore at racing@havershamsc.org.

Wednesday evening races and Rookie fleetsThese are intended to initiate people into racing. If you have thought of trying your hand, but were put off by the idea of getting in the way of the 'experts', then please don’t worry, these sessions are for you. Come along and give racing a try. The Dennis Cooke trophy for the Bronze (beginners) fleet and the Civil Service Sailing Club trophy for the Silver fleet are up for grabs so there is plenty to sail for if you are new to racing. Wednesday evening races are held between April and October. Race times are usually 18h30 April and September and 19h00 in May and August.

NB – the Rookie Fleet is for helms in their first year of racing at any club. This is therefore a genuine beginners' fleet, aimed at allowing helms to gain experience in boat-handling and sailing a course before graduating into the Bronze Fleet. In order to encourage participation Bronze and Rookie Fleets will always have a start separate from the Gold and Silver Fleet.

Rule change – the Outside Assistance rule has recently been modified: RRS Rule 41 is changed for club racing as follows: 41(e) help from the Safety boat crew, following a capsize, to right the boat and hold the boat while the crew re-boards the vessel. However, the Safety boat has the right to advise the crew to 'retire' should they think the crew is in danger of any kind. However, a boat that gains a significant advantage in the race from help received under 41(e) may be protested and penalized; any penalty may be less than disqualification. In real terms means this means that the safety boat is allowed to help you recover from a capsize without the need (in most cases) to retire from the race. The Outside Assistance rule will not apply to the Bronze and Rookie Fleet races.

Racing Rules of SailingAre revised and published every four years by World Sailing, the international authority for the sport. The World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing 2017-2020 can be seen here. The RYA Racing link (disputes, advise etc) can be found here.